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Review: Fogo de Chao Cachaca

Fogo de Chão is a fine dining, full-service Brazilian steakhouse or churrascaria. The name Fogo de Chao means “fire of ground” and summarizes the traditional gaucho method of roasting meats over an open fire. The company was founded by two sets of brothers, the Cosers and Ongarattos in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul in 1979. The first United States location opened in Dallas, Texas in 1997. Fogo de Chão currently operates 29 locations in the United States of America and nine locations in Brazil.

It’s only fitting that a Brazilian steakhouse has its own brand of cachaca. Produced by Cachacaria Weber Haus, in the city of Ivoti, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Weber Haus’ Fogo de Chao Silver Cachaca is aged for eight months in stainless steel drums, while the Gold Cachaca is aged 1 year in North American oak and 1 year in native Cabriúva wood.

Fogo de Chao Silver (80 proof)Visual: Clear.Nose: Immediately recognizable as cachaca, the nose is a rich bouquet of fresh pressed sugarcane. Highly floral with hints of grape must and peppermint.Taste: Light, easy-going and smooth. There is a clean freshness and attention to quality that brings this cachaca to a higher level than many mass-produced versions which usually have an industrial harshness to them.Finish: Medium long with a few notes of grass and a slight smokiness.Overall: Very nice and eminently mixable. There is enough body that this will easily hold up in an iced Caipirinha cocktail.GSN Rating: B+

Fogo de Chao Gold (80 proof)Visual: Citrine.Nose: Deeper and more lush than the Silver, this has an extra dimension of dark pine forest and sandalwood.Taste: Amazingly smooth and layered in much the same way that filo dough makes a more interesting gastronomical experience. Everything is compressed and tight within the flavor range of this cachaca, but it makes for a more pointed style. I’m reminded of milk caramel and cream based sweets.Finish: Medium long with a lingering caramel note.Overall: An excellent sipping cachaca that would be a great pairing for an after dinner dessert.GSN Rating: A

Blair Frodelius is a professional full-time musician, an award-winning mixologist, USBG Spirits Professional, BarSmarts Live & Wired graduate. Several of his original cocktails can be found in the 75th Anniversary Mr. Boston Official Bartenders Guide, and one inspired by Harry Craddock in the Mixellany publication The Deans of Drink.

Blair Frodelius is a professional full-time musician, an award-winning mixologist, USBG Spirits Professional, BarSmarts Live graduate and member of the Museum of the American Cocktail. Many of his original cocktails can be found in the 75th Anniversary Mr. Boston Official Bartenders Guide.